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James Debono
With 61 per cent of Corradino’s 232 inmates having served more than one term in prison, the Correctional Facility may well be called a “university of crime”.
Further proof that prison is failing in its correctional mission is that 44 per cent of prisoners have served more than three terms in prison.
And if prison is serving as a university of crime, 26 hardcore inmates deserve a doctorate: they have entered prison at least seven times.
The figures released in parliament raise serious questions on whether prison is indeed succeeding in rehabilitating inmates. Prisoner rights activist Mark Montebello described the situation as “shameful” and proof that the prison system does not offer any rehabilitation at all.
But the figures do not seem to do justice to the work conducted by the prison authorities to help prisoners reform. Speaking to MaltaToday, Corradino prison director Sandro Gatt gives concrete examples of how prison is serving as a place for the rehabilitation of prisoners.
“Caritas and Sedqa offer drug rehabilitation programmes. But these are only offered to prisoners who are seriously motivated and who follow prison regulations. Part of the prison is exclusively dedicated to the rehabilitation of drug addicts and is effectively run by the Substance Abuse Therapeutic Unit. And a programme for gamblers is also envisaged to start in the near future.”
According to Gatt prisoners can also make use of the services of two forensic psychologists, three medical doctors, a psychiatrist and a number of social workers and probation Officers.
A small school where prisoners are thought by professional teachers has also helped a small number of prisoners to attend courses in the university of Malta.
And in an attempt to foresee problems prisoners encounter upon being released, every inmate is interviewed by a social worker. If the inmate lacks adequate housing, work or has to take care of children, the social worker assigned to each prisoner contacts government departments to ensure a smoother transition to life outside prison.
Gatt acknowledged that many prisoners tend to return to their old habits by frequenting old acquaintances in the neighbourhoods were they were brought up.
But Mark Montebello claims society is still failing to offer employment opportunities, support and housing to former prisoners. “Many times someone who has a shady past and limited capabilities, even if he is very willing, ends up not finding any help neither in nor outside prison.”
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
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